This is a little (well...) tutorial about making the criss-cross coasters with 2 colors. In a previous post, I added a link to a GREAT tutorial that was done with 6...and it was done that way so you could easily see the process. So...this may be harder to understand, but I hope I can talk you through it. I made over 60 sets of 4 for the holidays in 2008!!!
This is what you'll start with. For one coaster, you need three (3) 4.5 inch squares of each of the 2 colors, and one (1) 3 7/8 piece of fusible interfacing. (You can cut it at 4 in, but I like to not have to worry about catching it in the seams.) I like the kind with a little bit of loft, so that is what I used the most. In this picture, there are 12 squares of each color, and 4 squares of the fusible interfacing...enough for 4 completed coasters.

For one (1) coaster, press 2 of each color (so 2 of each) in half. Above shows enough for 2 coasters.

For each coaster, you'll need 4 pressed rectangles, (2) 4.5 inch squares, one of each color, and a piece of the fusible interfacing.

Place the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. You only do this once per coaster, so above shows enough for 4. Turn these over...making sure that the fusible side is on the wrong side of the fabric...or you'll fuse it to the ironing cover!!! Once you have them turned over, press per the fusible instructions. The one I used, I had to 'set' it for 15 seconds...so took 30 seconds at least for each square.

Now, you are ready to build each coaster. Remember, the pressed edge is to the middle...or raw edges to raw edges.

I know this will sound backwards, but trust me. To start building, choose the fabric square that will be the inside piece...put that, wrong side up, on your table.

Then, take the piece that will be the bottom and has the fusible interfacing on it...place it wrong side down onto the first square. So, wrong sides together.

Then...I start with the first rectangle at the top. I put the next rectangle on the left side. This ensures that when sewing the coaster together, you aren't sewing against the rectangle. Believe me, you don't want to do that!!! Then, put the next rectangle at the bottom, then the last on the right side, slipping one end under the top piece.

Pin in place for sewing. This helps to keep it from shifting while stitching.

Here, you can see me sewing the coasters. Use a 1/4 in seam. You can do them by chain piecing, just like any block. See how the seam in the red piece is facing toward me? Makes it easy for the presser foot to sew over. If it is facing the other way, it's easily distorted and a pain to work with!!!

Here are 4 completed coasters, before trimming and turning.

Here is one that I've trimmed the corners. You can do it closer, but I like having that extra stitching, so hopefully, it won't come apart! From here, you turn it inside out, poke out the corners (use a tool for that, or a crochet hook, phillips head screwdriver...just nothing that would poke through the fabric!!!)

Here are 4 coasters finished!!! As you can see, I've used different fabrics on the bottom.

This is a small view of working with triangles, instead of rectangles. Same general idea, just more labor intensive because it takes more pinning to keep them where they need to be!

Here's the stuff for one coaster (fusible interfacing is used here too, just like in the others. Just didn't have a picture with it).

For these, place the rectangle at the top, to the right.

Then, add the next triangle, to the top and left.
Continue as before...

Pin well...these shift really easily!!!

Sew with 1/4 inch seam.

Trim and turn, as in the rectangle coasters. Poke out the corners as best you can (they don't have to be perfect...no quilt police here!).

These are great to use with any glass or mug. You can even use them with stemmed glasses, like wine glasses. You can open the middle, put the base of the stemmed glass in the coaster, and then it 'travels' with the glass! :>) Since there is a fabric lining inside, you don't have to worry about it being on the interfacing directly.

One thing that I found, which will save you alot of time, is to get fabric that you don't have to fussy cut! The more compact the pattern, the better for these coasters. You can use a busy print for one, and a contrasting solid or tone on tone for the other.

If you do use a fabric that you might have to manipulate a bit, remember, when pressing the rectangles, be sure that the image you want once sewn and turned, is on the underside, next to the solid fabric piece, when building. This usually means it needs to be in the upper left corner when face down, and you bring the bottom up to press. I did it backwards, and had to frog-stitch 4 coasters, and build them the opposite way...which is a hassle to sew over.

Here is a picture of a pile of completed coaster sets, all ribboned (takes about a yard of ribbon to wrap 4 coasters). This is just a few of what I made. I still have lots of fabric squares cut and ready to make more. I figure, I'll work on them during the year, and I'll have more ready for this year!!!

I hope this makes some sense!!! I think between looking at both blogs, it'll make perfect sense!!! If you are only making a few, these are easy and fun. Since I made so many, I actually started cutting fabric in late October...did a little at a time. Then, I'd stack them in sets. Then, I'd take a day and press rectangles and interfacing. Another day, I'd assemble the coasters, getting them all pinned and ready to sew. Since I did all that preparation, once I got to the sewing machine, they went pretty fast.

I think it would be fun to have some for every holiday! That would make a fun gift for anyone.

I'll now have to go to my stash, and look for other holiday fabric. I KNOW I have shamrocks, Halloween stuff, hearts, Easter fabrics, etc. Hmm...just what I need...another project! LOL!

ENJOY!!!